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Eye
injuries are among the most common threats to a childs vision.
Most eye injuries happen during sports or recreational activities,
and 90 percent of all eye injuries can be prevented. It is
important for parents and children to become aware of the dangers
and to take these necessary precautions:
Make sure your children wear protective eyewear when
participating in activities or sports, such as baseball,
basketball, soccer, hockey, tennis, or racquetball.
Supervise children when they are handling potentially dangerous
glass or pointed items such as pencils, pens, scissors, etc
Do not allow children to play with darts, bows & arrows, BB
guns, guns or fireworks
Keep all sprays and chemicals out of reach of small children.
Select games and toys that are age appropriate.
Baseball, basketball and racquet sports are the largest causes
of eye injuries in sports activities. The real tragedy is that
most of these injuries are to children. The middle school years
are the most dangerous, and boys are involved in almost 90-percent
of eye accidents.
Eye injuries due to sports can happen anywhere: at home, at
work, at school or on the neighborhood field or playground.
The most blinding injuries come from projectile "toys" such as
BB guns, pellet guns, darts, slingshots and bows and arrows.
Take precautions! Observe the safety rules when you or your
children are at play. Children must be taught to play safely, and
parents must be alert to hazardous playthings.
People who normally wear eyeglasses can have prescription made
up in safety glasses with stronger lenses and frames to protect
their eyes while playing sports activities.
Clear eye protectors are also available from sporting good
stores, sports facilities or from eye doctors or opticians. But
remember, they offer absolutely no protection if they remain in
your gym bag, locker or glove compartment!
Eye injuries can blind you or your loved ones, but you have the
power to prevent blindness if you follow the simple precautions
mentioned. Injuries can be prevented almost 100-percent of the
time with proper eye safety practices and appropriate eye
protection.
Always wear safety glasses or clear eye protectors while playing
sports.
If an eye injury occurs, it is always best to have an
ophthalmologist, pediatrician, or emergency room physician examine
the eye as soon as possible. Children with serious eye injuries
should always be taken quickly to the nearest emergency room for
evaluation.
Eye safety is no accident. It is no different from wearing your
seatbelt or not touching a red-hot stove.
This summer please remember that whatever you are doing, your eyes
are at stake.
One added fact about preventing blindness:
We live in Florida, so please take advantage of those fantastic
sunny days on the beaches; be sure to use proper protective
eyewear as "sunscreen for your eyes." This is the time of year
when the sun's rays are the most direct and are able to do the
most damage.
The invisible UV sunburn rays are so powerful that they can damage
the front cornea, the internal lens and the retina, all the way
inside your eye. This is even more critical if you are taking
certain medications, such as birth control pills, tetracycline, or
sulfa antibiotics, diuretics (water pills) or tranquilizers (nerve
medicine), or have had cataract surgery, all of which make your
eyes more sensitive and susceptible to UV light damage.
The Eye Specialists at Florida Eye Center want you to enjoy
wearing your sunglasses with comfort and confidence. When you are
shopping for sunglasses for yourself or your children, we
recommend you look for the following:
Remember,
your eyes deserve the best -- they are the only ones you will ever
have.
More great information on preventing blindness and so much more
can be found at the web site:
www.FloridaEyeCenter.com
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Dr. Sibley has
over 20 years of experience in the ever-evolving field of
ophthalmology. He is a board-certified ophthalmologist,
F.A.C.S., and he is highly trained to perform the advanced
operations offered by the Florida Eye Center. He is medical
advisor to the Society to Prevent Blindness and to the
American Diabetes Association, and is team ophthalmologist
for the Devil Rays. |
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